An opportunity to give gifts

By JEFF GRAHAM

Some Catholics joke that the best way to put a congregation to sleep during a homily is to start talking about money. Far from being a sermon about money once a year, Project Advance is an exciting annual initiative that encourages Catholics to consider what they can give from their time, talent, and treasure to build up the Church.

Jeff Graham / The B.C Catholic Kicking off yet another Project Advance campaign, organizers light the way for the faithful of the archdiocese.

At its heart, Project Advance, the $2.5 million annual appeal for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, stresses that everyone is called to give according to their means. Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, kicked off another Project Advance year at the annual Mass and luncheon April 14 at St. Patrick's Parish with the theme Light our Way.

"We are all called to give, according to our means, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure," he said at the luncheon. "Giving to Project Advance is also a way to unite ourselves to Christ and His mercy."

Mandate of Archdiocesan Synod begins to unfold in parishes

Appropriately, the Gospel Reading at Mass came from St. Mark, and was about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. At the end of the reading, Jesus exhorts His disciples to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel. Archbishop Roussin explained that supporting initiatives like Project Advance, and giving of oneself, can be an effective witness, and is a tangible sign of God's mercy in the world.

"As disciples of Christ, we are called to follow Him and to give of ourselves and our resources, especially where it will help others: the many poor of our cities, the Catholic education of our children, maintenance of our school buildings, resources for the young and the elderly, and to follow the Gospel's clear call to care for the homeless, the hungry, and the poor."

For 2007 there are four new initiatives Project Advance is undertaking to help those in need.

Luke 15 House is Christian-based temporary housing for men who are in transition from prison and recovering from addiction. It accommodates men on probation, parole, or conditional sentencing while offering 12-step programs, faith studies, peer group counselling, and life-skills training. A large part of the mission of Luke 15 house is to transport residents to Mass and meetings, but the van used for this is in disrepair. Project Advance has provided $25,000 to purchase a new one.

Marion Hospice is a facility for terminally ill patients and their families, and Project Advance is contributing $20,000 for the creation of a welcoming, peaceful, and comfortable reception area for the terminally ill and their families.

Columbus Residence is a long-term care facility for seniors sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The residence has a chapel used by patients and staff, but had a carpeted floor that made it difficult for those with wheelchairs or walkers to get around. Project Advance has provided $5,000 to install new flooring in the chapel so residents can worship with greater ease and less risk of injury.

L'Arche Greater Vancouver is one of a series of houses across the world dedicated to adults with mental and physical challenges. People who face these challenges live in L'Arche houses alongside people who don't, helping each other grow spiritually and personally. The L'Arche house in Burnaby is in need of a city-mandated sprinkler system, and Project Advance has contributed $50,000 for installation.

There are also a number of programs which will continue to receive funding in 2007.

VANSPEC, a program devoted to teaching catechism to challenged children and adults, Youth Ministry, dedicated to Catholic youth in the Archdiocese, and Service and Justice, dedicated to providing support and resources to outreach initiatives, will continue to receive money.

Also receiving support will be the new sites fund, which helps reduce the deficit incurred from the purchase of land for future parishes and schools, while secondary schools will receive money to rebuild and maintain existing schools, and reducing the deficit from new construction.

All of these programs are featured in detail on the 2007 edition of the Project Advance video, which is now being shown in the parishes of the archdiocese.

"As the mandate of the Archdiocesan Synod begins to unfold throughout our parishes, let us act to take up the challenge to continue listening to the Holy Spirit and to follow His guidance," said Archbishop Roussin. "Let our generous response as a Catholic community raise our own awareness of how we are truly blessed by God."